Joel Rubin

After 40+ Days of a Brutal Shutdown, What Did Democrats Actually Gain? This is now the longest shutdown in U.S. History. So what was all this for?

After 40+ days of a government shutdown... what did the American people gain? Win? Spoiler alert 🙄 not much at all.

I discuss with my friend Joel Rubin
@joelmrubin.bsky.social

substack.com/@harrydunn/n...

“2025 May Be the Most Traumatic Year Ever:” Diplomacy Expert on How Trump Has Made Us Less Safe. A perfect storm for global instability is brewing. And we’re looking away.

In a new episode of the Making Sense of the World podcast, hosted by @joelmrubin.bsky.social, AfP’s Liz Hume explains how cuts to foreign assistance have made the world less secure, & how we can reverse these trends through bipartisan, community-led programs

www.thesirennetwork.com/p/2025-may-b...

Trump to welcome Syrian President al-Sharaa at White House today President Trump is set to welcome Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House today. Previously, al-Sharaa has been connected to Al Qaeda and was jailed by U.S. forces in Iraq. MSNBC Senior Wh...

President Trump is set to welcome Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House today.

@joelmrubin.bsky.social joins @anacabrera.bsky.social to share his reaction to the "whirlwind" rise of al-Sharaa.
www.msnbc.com/ana-cabrera-...

I was honored to be included in this excellent Washington Pose about the New York City mayoral race and the meaning of @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's candidacy for American Jews.

Putin’s perplexing hypnotic quality over Trump is at play once again! He’s gotten what he wants and undermined any pressure on himself.

Let’s call Trump’s “productive” talks with Russia what they really are …

@alivitali.bsky.social @msnbcreports.msnbc.com @msnbc.com

Trump finally recognizing regional allies are critical to peace. But let's be clear: Hamas's first targets after the ceasefire are the Palestinian people. This is horrifying. Those who called for ceasefire must demand Hamas exit. Qatar, Egypt, Turkey - keep the pressure on. @msnbc.com

Fmr. NSC Sr. Director Juan Gonzalez explains why migration isn't just a border issue- it's a foreign policy failure with domestic consequences.

Essential insights on current U.S.-Latin America relations on Making Sense of the World:

thesirennetwork.com/p/lets-talk-about-trump-and-latin-america

Two years after Oct. 7th, Israel is fighting for more than security- it's fighting for its soul.

My analysis on how that day shattered Israel's sense of invulnerability, what fragile ceasefire negotiations mean & why Jewish safety spans from Gaza to American neighborhoods.

joelrubin.substack.com

Fmr. chief American nuclear weapons negotiator & NATO Deputy Secretary General breaks down Putin's latest nuclear proposal, China's nuclear buildup, and why the U.S. must defend forward.

Timely insights on Making Sense of the World:

thesirennetwork.com/p/nuclear-negotiator-rose-gottemoeller

Fmr. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies Anne Neuberger delivers sobering insights on cyber threats from China & how democratic openness has become a cybersecurity weakness.

The latest on Making Sense of the World:

thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world

American global leadership is on fire - and not in a good way. Our allies don’t trust us, our adversaries don’t fear us. American diplomacy is being shattered on a daily basis.

Some thoughts on Rubio’s visit to Israel & the current state of play in the Middle East w/Alex Witt on @msnbc.com

Interested in a masters class on how economic statecraft has become the new battlefield for global leadership & what the US is getting wrong?

Check out the latest episode on Making Sense of the World w/ foreign policy icon Bob Hormats.

thesirennetwork.com/p/american-diplomacy-is-on-the-precipice

It’s never a good day when two core American allies get into a fight. And yet, that’s where we find ourselves now…

My take on the Israeli strike on Hamas in Qatar on The Briefing Book:

joelrubin.substack.com/p/israels-strike-in-qatar

Israel’s decision to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar- a U.S. ally that’s been integral in ceasefire talks- creates complicated challenges. The question now is whether diplomacy is still on the table or if the White House will continue to stand by while the region disintegrates further.

@msnbc.com

What drives someone to risk everything for truth?

Lt. Col. @avindman.bsky.social shares his story on the personal cost of principled leadership & the present dangers facing American democracy. A gripping conversation on Making Sense of the World.

thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world

We can’t afford to lose India.

Trump's foreign policy is backfiring spectacularly. His Alaska summit ended Putin's diplomatic containment while 50% tariffs pushed India towards China. Now Modi, Xi and Putin toast in Beijing as they plot to redraw the global order without us.

joelrubin.substack.com

Radical Pragmatism may be the only way to ensure Israelis & Palestinians can finally live without war.

Enough with the grand visions, summits, and resolutions. It’s time to get real- ceasefire, hostage release, aid, regional leadership…

joelrubin.substack.com/p/gaza-war-a-thoughtful-tv-debate-for

Why is the Second Amendment more important than the lives of children praying at mass? It's not. 90% of Americans support stronger gun safety - we just don't do it. We need to try harder and do better.

My heart goes out to Minneapolis.

@bbcbreaking-bot.bsky.social

ICYMI: Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor, and I agree - Putin bombing an American factory in Ukraine was a major slap in the face to Trump.

The president needs to restore leverage and play his cards, not just post empty threats online.

@newsnation.bsky.social

This week on MSOTW, NatSec Expert @nolahaynes1.substack.com and I dug into foreign policy and electoral success; messaging for diverse audiences in new media spaces; and why Black leadership in national security matters. Check it out 👇

thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world

Instead of ending the Ukraine War on day one, so far Trump has advantaged Putin, weakened Ukraine, and undercut our allies. Russia continues to consolidate gains, while America second guesses itself.

Real peace requires a coherent strategy, not improv diplomacy.

joelrubin.substack.com

Of course Putin is in no rush for a bilateral meeting w/ Zelenskyy - why would he be? Trump already handed him a win when he broke years of political isolation and rolled out the red carpet on American soil. Giving away leverage for a photo-op. Classic Trump 👌

@audiecornish.bsky.social @cnn.com

Flip-flop diplomacy & photo-ops won’t end the Russia - Ukraine War.

Trump claims he wants a ceasefire, then doesn’t. 90 senators support Russia sanctions but he won’t use that pressure. Rather than utilize NATO, he dances around other mechanisms, strengthening Putin’s negotiating hand. @msnbc.com

American Democracy on Fire We've seen this playbook before. It doesn't end well...

This week on Making Sense of the World, @jondkatz.bsky.social and I dove deep into the state of democracy globally - particularly the concerning speed & consequences of democratic decay in the U.S.

Listen to the full episode on @thesirennetwork.bsky.social

www.thesirennetwork.com/p/american-d...

Excited to announce my new weekly podcast "Making Sense of the World" on @thesirennetwork.bsky.social

Ep.1 features @afalkhatib.bsky.social a Gazan-American with bold views leading the charge for a changed perspective on Palestine.

www.thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world

Excited to announce my new weekly podcast "Making Sense of the World" on @thesirennetwork.bsky.social

Ep.1 features @afalkhatib.bsky.social a Gazan-American with bold views leading the charge for a changed perspective on Palestine.

www.thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world

During these challenging times, it's vital that we have reliable sources for information, voices of hope & fighters who inspire, reject hate and promote justice and democracy.

Please follow this starter pack filled with the most fierce content creators and activists online.
bsky.app/starter-pack...

Follow these accounts if you would like real time political updates, volunteer opportunities, and invitations to grassroots events from all over the country. Be safe, be peaceful, and be loud. ❤️

go.bsky.app/QJSmWjY

We need practical solutions in Gaza. Hamas needs to surrender and depart. Trump team must get serious on negotiations. And the UN needs to move the aid that’s already in Gaza, approved by Israel and wasting away.

@msnbcreports.msnbc.com

Gaza is starving. Is a ceasefire in jeopardy after the U.S. withdrew from talks early? Israel announced it would allow aid drops to Palestinians in Gaza to resume as the U.S. left ceasefire talks early this week. Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for House Affairs Joel Rubin jo...

Israel announced it would allow aid drops to Palestinians in Gaza to resume. Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for House Affairs @joelmrubin.bsky.social joins Erielle Reshef to break down the latest news out of the Middle East.

www.msnbc.com/weekends-wit...